en, however, looked upon her with different eyes; among them her
appearance produced a universal murmur of applause: they encircled the
space on which she danced, and were enchanted by her graceful motion.
While they launched out in the praise of her, they expressed their
displeasure at the good fortune of her partner, whom they d--d for a
little finical coxcomb, that was too much engrossed by the contemplation
of his own person, to discern or deserve the favour of his fate. He did
not hear, therefore could not repine at these invectives; but while they
imagined he indulged his vanity, a much more generous passion had taken
possession of his heart.

Instead of that petulance of gaiety for which he had been distinguished
in his public appearance, he now gave manifest signs of confusion and
concern: he danced with an anxiety which impeded his performance,
and blushed to the eyes at every false step he made. Though this
extraordinary agitation was overlooked by the men, it could not escape
the observation of the ladies, who perceived it with equal surprise
and resentment; and when Peregrine led this fair unknown to her seat,
expressed their pique in an affected titter, which broke from every
mouth at the same instant--as if all of them had been informed by the
same spirit.

Peregrine was nettled at this unmannerly mark of disapprobation, and,
in order to increase their chagrin, endeavoured to enter into particular
conversation with their fair rival. The young lady herself, who neither
wanted penetration nor the consciousness of her own accomplishments,
resented their behaviour, though she triumphed at the cause of it, and
gave her partner all the encouragement he could desire. Her mother, who
was present, thanked him for his civility in taking such notice of a
stranger, and he received a compliment of the same nature from the young
gentleman in boots, who was her own brother.

If he was charmed with her appearance, he was quite ravished with
her discourse, which was sensible, spirited, and gay. Her frank and
sprightly demeanour excited his own confidence and good-humour; and he
described to her the characters of those females who had honoured them
with such a spiteful mark of distinction, in terms so replete with
humorous satire, that she seemed to listen with particular complacency
of attention, and distinguished every nymph thus ridiculed with such a
significant glance as overwhelmed her with chagrin and mortification.